Be safe on the plane Anderson! Looking forward to your story tonight!

Anderson,
Three blogs in one day!! WOW!! Thanks for the little excerpt from your interview with Obama. I’ll definitely be looking forward to it. Have a good one!

Cynthia, Covington, Ga.

Anderson

A question for one of your panels - if this has hurt Obama has it helped Clinton? And if so how much?

Annie Kate
Birmingham AL

He stood up like a man and addressed the situation.
He didn’t just sit back and hope that the story would go away, but he stood up and faced it head on. He has spoken like a TRUE PRESIDENT, and no matter what people say, his words ring true because he looked at it from ALL SIDES. Black, White, HIspanic, Native American.
Barack didn’t just spend time talking about one race, he included everyone because he beleives that we are in this together. And I do too.
It reminds me of something he said last week:
We can’t end the war divided, we can’t solve health care divided, we can’t supply jobs divided.
Weather it is finding jobs for people as a community organizer or fighting for transparency as a Senator, Barack has proven that he is about the people of this country. ALL PEOPLE!
He has run a very good campaign, and he has awaken the minds of voters and that is why he is leading now. I pray he continues to do well. God has a plan for his life and I think Barack is doing exactly what he is spposed to do at this time.

A round of applause Mr. Obama. This was your first 3am phoone call and you handled it well. Continue to ask us to hold the mirror up to ourselves as we stand in judgement as well as disseminate between what is relevant and what is fodder generated to make headlines.

Everyone seems to be focusing on issues of race regarding Reverend Wright’s comments, but I’m wondering if some voters might be turned off because they’re unsure of Obama’s patriotism. Wright’s “God damn America” comment, accompanied by Michelle Obama’s comments about being proud of the country, the lapel pin controversy, and the false rumor that Barack won’t pledge the flag, might all add up to an unflattering picture for some middle America voters. I guess race factors into the things I listed, but not in a specific way. I think Obama is very patriotic, but I’m wondering how this will all play out.

Hey Anderson,

I really hope we’ll get to see your interview with Senator Obama on CNN Int., we’ve only been getting the second hour. I haven’t heard any of the Senator’s speech, so I can’t really say anything about that.

I just read about your operation and I hope everything is ok! I’ve had several dark spots removed and it’s always a bit scary, well, the needles are the scariest part for me…(and the wait for the results)

Hopefully I’ll get to see your stitches tonight! Kristien

Can we move past Rev Wright!

man…you’re full of previews today! can’t wait to see the whole interview tonight, fly safe.

Anderson, well, 3 blogs in one day! Very impressive! On to my comment…

You know there’s a saying, “It’s not what happens to you, it’s how you handle what happens to you.” Certainly, Mr. Obama, in my opinion handled this controversy very well. It could have hurt, or even destroyed him; instead, he spoke up in a manner that was so moving, so touching, so powerful. It’s a testament to his character. I was so proud of him.

I can’t wait to see the interview tonight!

Lilibeth
Edmonds, Washington

I have to give Obama credit for opening real debates on issues we all find uncomfortable to face. Will the controversy hurt him. I guess we will see how opened minded we all really are. The anger between the Clinton supporters and Obama supporters has to tone down in volume. A shout always drowns out a word. Words we need to really hear from all sides.

Lorie Ann, Buellton, Calif.

Anderson,

I think that is the big question; will White blue-collar workers (especially men) buy into what Obama said in his speech on Tuesday? Although I am a college educated person, I know a lot of White blue-collar workers and based on what he said in the speech I would have to say that for the most part they will not.

Based on the tone of Obama’s answer to your question and the recent polls, I think he already knows that.

I look forward to seeing your interview tonight.

Jo Ann
North Royalton, Ohio

Missed you this week; hope your recovery from surgery is going well. You have great substitute anchors but show just isn’t the same without you.

Please keep the Senator honest tonight. I’m really tired of the race issues; I’d like to know who this man really is. He could possibly be our next president and I know very little about him. Enough talk about hope and change. Tell me more, please. If anyone can wrangle it out of him it’s you, Anderson.

I think that it has helped Obama getting this out early. Really don’t care what his pastor says or thinks. I support Obama for President.

Just as an additional thought…we as Americans should by now be desensatized to what African Americans can do. Tiger Woods unseated every white male at the top of the sport of Golf; Venus and Serena Williams unseated Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert-Lloyd; Dr. Condoleeza Rice unseated Madeline Albright; Oprah Winfrey unseated Phil Donahue

ALL of these people came into an industry without a boat load of experience and surrounded by the right people were able to not only succeed, but raise the level by which the game was measured. Why is it still shocking that yet one more African American will step into a game, and raise the standard by which it is played?

We live in a nation where everyone is hilighted depending on the spin of the moment. We started out with White Women as the swing vote; then we moved to African American’s, on to Hispanics, and now white men. For all intense and purpose, Barak single handidly represents all of them, so why are we making him ‘divide’ them? His ancestry is white, black, hispanic, old white men, old white women, young white men, young white women, old black men, young black men, old black women, young black women, national and international. The list goes on and on.

In all that we do or say negatively against him, he still wants an opportunity to represent us. Why cannot we cut him some slack for those specifically around him for whom he still wants to keep company with. We have not marred him with our wicked ways…let us not hold the words and deeds of others against him.

The first time Anderson Cooper ( hope you feel better soon) interviewed Obama after the Wright mess, Obama said he never heard of those remarks. Now Obama admitted he was presence on occassions. We should now question Obama’s character.

Anderson, I have watched you rise in your career and find you to be exceptional. I hope you are on the road to recovery from this latest surgery and wish you well. You are with Obama in my home state only an hour away. I wish I could attend. I watn to speak out as I am legally blind and have worked for eight years trying to become a teacher to teach special education. I believe in hope, dreams, and overcoming adversity. Thank you for your from the heart reporting and for covering Obama who we (this country) desperately needs. . . . . Southern Pines, NC

Fred states Will the real Barack Obama please standup.
My Momma always told me
“You are judged by the company you keep” AND
“Birds of a feather flock together” AND
“Where there’s smoke, there’s fire”
She also told me to “Judge not lest ye be judged”
So I am waiting for the other shoe to fall.

well Let me ask you this , why are others not outraged when President Bush waited several days to send help to dying people, why isnt anyone asking Clinton to address Ferraro statement about an issue of race that she began with arrogant words as well.
what about Mccain endorsement from Hagee
he is not the most approachable from what I can see,
” Democrats quoted Hagee as saying the Catholic Church conspired with Nazis against the Jews and that Hurricane Katrina was God’s retribution for homosexual sin, and they recited his demeaning comments about women and flip remarks about slavery.”
he also called the catholic church or the religion a “false cult”
this is wrong !!!!

mr. cooper i really look foward to the interview tonight. i have lisened the obama speech from yesterday and was impressed. i also have been in situations that people that i respect ,some relatives some through the church , have made comments that i didn’t agree with some having to do with race. i relized that i wasn’t going to be able to change there way of thinking. so i try to lead by example and pray for those who just don’t get it.

Anderson,
The race problem would not be near as bad if not for the
news media. You keep pushing it down peoples throats
and we are all getting sick and tired of it.
Stop the trashing and let the candidates talk about issues,
plans, ideas.
Course that would indicate that the media supports
responsible reporting and they have not done that
for months.
You all should be reporting for Enquirer Newspaper.
That is your calibar of truth.
katie

I hope all is well with one of the most sincere politician of our generation..No matter what happens during this election, he will enter the history book…

Thank you , Anderson for interviewing Barack Obama tonight and I look forward to your interview. I guess I am dismayed that the critics of Barack Obama may be some of the Catholics who continued to go their parishes when their priests molest children. Or some of the same Protestants who continue to go to their churches when infidelity and theft was the norm. I could go on and on. No one has heard Rev. Wright’s sermons complete, just sound bites. Look at all of the people of this congregation and the good they do. YES, America , you can go to a church and not agree with your elders, ministers, etc, denounced them and still be spiritually moved without buying into their rhetoric. All of the critics, look into your own pasts with your families, ministers etc. and ask yourselves how many of you were willing to sell your souls just to make a certain group of people happy. Maybe some of you critics , both black and white should visit other churches to get a better understanding of what is being said , how and why. Please tell Mr. Obama the speech was wonderful and his character has been elevated. Neither Hillary Clinton nor John McCain nor Bill Clinton could have done as well.

Rough week for sure… and will just get worse from here on out.
To bad maybe… but I think he’s done… time will tell.

Now that we’ve all managed to insult each other, can we move on to the business of discussing the qualifications of these candidates?

Anderson,
I was surprised to read about your minor surgery. I just returned from having a spot frozen under my right eye. Good Luck.
I need to vent about all of the coverage on Barack’s pastor. The two items are quite seperate. I had a father you was a terrible racist but I never felt a need to disown him or revoke him or repudiate him. I have attended many churchs where the views within are different than mine but I go to learn and have the experience. There are so many good issues to be discussed, let’s get back to them. I actually turned off CNN last night because I could feel my blood pressure rising.

mr obama might not be in so much trouble if he had been honest from the start . this is the type of thing he so often talks about being wrong and then he does it. if what his preacher said was not so bad, then why did he deny knowing about it. as i have said i will not vote for him. if it comes down to it i will vote for mccain.

Mr. Cooper, here’s to a speedy recovery and healing. I like Senator Obama and I hope America actually listened to his speech yesterday. Listening skills are the hardest thing to develop and listening to understand even harder. Please ask the good senator how he plans to help with the house foreclosures and keeping our retirement savings safe. I know he is a champion for getting our brave warriors out of Iraq but, the economy is viewed by many to be just like him, the frontrunner on our minds right now. God Bless you Anderson. May God keep, protect and guide Senator Obama the people’s choice.

Anderson,
I can’t help but notice that we can’t see the left side of your face in this photo…hmm. You need to show that thing off man.
I think Senator Obama encompassed everything in his comment there…he DOES have to run an unconventional campaign to attract the attention of citizens for positive reasons, and not just race. In the election, race is the obvious issue, and for him to show his versatility and appeal to all voters he had to run an unconventional race, and its about time he got back to it.

It isn’t just the race issue that Obama has been facing, though that’s certainly a major component. It’s Rezko and Wright and NAFTA and many other issues that continue to haunt his campaign. And until he becomes COMPLETELY

to pd thomas. if this was the 3 am phone call, he sure took his time answering it.

You know what hurts the most, Anderson? The fact that all these people who are ripping this man apart and questioning his beliefs and morals are ignorant enough to simply sit back and take a 20 second or 30 second soundbite to heart. These people are the ones who will simply listen to the distortions and never once, ever research the church, the pastor and his history of “good deeds”. They will simply take these words out of context. It’s sad, really, that some people who claim to want a better life for their children and grandchildren would be so “closed minded” and unable to look deeper at what caused this man’s anger and outrage. What is happening now is that some individuals are simply wanting to make it go away, don’t wanna accept the fact that still in 2008 we are racially divided and we continue to bring it onto ourselves. Get a grip and open your eyes people. I can sooo relate to Obama about his grandmother and her love for him yet she still had fears because she was “taught” to fear what is different. My own grandmother “adores” my bi-racial daughter but don’t think for one second she don’t remind me to “lock the door honey, you know that neighborhood across the street, it’s full of those “colored men”. And I remember the day my daughter came home to me crying because her friends at school had told her to “wipe that black off you!”. And the weeks on end this innocent child begged me to straighten her hair like mommy’s because people at school made fun of her curls. And the day I had to remind her how beautiful her skin was…so pretty, in fact, us “white woman” pay to lay in tanning beds all year long to have skin as pretty.

WAKE UP! This man is real, he is genuine and he is trying to prevent this same garbage from happening from or to your children.

I for one don’t condone the pastor’s comments, however, open your eyes and do some REAL digging into your soul, look around the community, and ask yourself to examine why so many people of ALL races are longing for change.

God Knows we need it!

Well it is about time you went somewere with you r Buddy as CNN is the offical headquarters for his campaign. The brillant, breath taking, prophet from Illnois ,the one who can unite the world…the one who has trouble with truth, changes his story daily, is like a used car salesman, has no plans for anything and no experience…maybe Rev Wright can get a job too and replace the Caffery file….. you go Anderson Cooper maybe he can get a anchor job with CNN because after the Rev Wright thing he will not be president. Keep giving him free press we watch Fox news now!

Anderson, why don’t you ask him about Imus vs. Wright and what a
Hypocrite he is.
Obama listened to Wright’s mislead people for 20 years and did nothing.
Obama lied.
CNN I dare you to post my comments.

My goodness, these three blogs are dripping with all the love and best wishes the Obama/Cooper “ticket” could possibly receive!

A CNN “love fest” at its best!

In all fairness, remember bloggers (and pass it on)…. CNN has asked and been denied to “spend a day on the trail” with Hillary Clinton. What’s she hiding!?!??!?!

I believe that Obama did a very good job in his speach and I also think it is worth every moment for the subject of race and gender to be discussed, if we do not discuss what hurts inside and get it out in the open healing will not take place. As for those who think that he should not have remained in his church, because he hears sermon that makes him cringe, I believe we have all been at church and other places where we have heard things said that we did not subscribe to but we remain for whatever reason. There are churches that know of people that abuse their children and thus destroy many of them but the mothers and fathers remain a part of those institutions and did not leave for whatever reason. I believe we have all walk that road in life.

Obama would make a great president. The comments made by Rev. Wright wil be use as an excuse by some for not support him. There are those who say he should have left the church. I can’t remember anybody leaving the Catholic Church when they were moving around the pedophile prests. This only goes to show the hypocrisy of this country. Will we ever get past race?

Anderson you are a better journalist than the questions your asking. Rev. Wright - been there done that. The Speech on race was Historic. i think white america understand blacks and whites have freedom of speech in a church or in their homes. anderson stop trying to divide america when we are so closse to coming together. Only those who have problems with race keep dwelling on that issue. Stand above the other journalist and ask the questions that really matter. I would ask obama and hillary what specific actions will they take to improve Americas economic standing. or how about the number of iraqs children that have been born with deformaties due to the radioactivity left from our bombing campaign which started in 1991 and continues to this day. Ask about how they plan to go about getting the participation of the guys on the other side of the isle.

I didn’t hear all of Obama’s speech. But the few sound bites I heard impressed me. I don’t quite know how to process “Hope” right now, and I’ve had enough “Change” to last me a life time. I do however have great respect for someone who faces issues head on, without resorting to excuses, and stays true to their convictions. In fact, I had to rethink some of my own recent sound bites (nothing I’d be proud to have anyone hear), and throw some of my own excuses out.
Whether Obama wins the nomination or not, I believe he’s challeged us to reach higher as a country, and given us hope that things can change if we do our part. He doesn’t have to be president to continue impacting our country for the better.
Hope your eye’s okay, Cooper. Your health is important. It’s none of my business, though.

I heard Rev talking bad about Bill and Hillary .Obama NEVER apologized in public to Hillary.
Imagine If it is one of Hillary’s people making a remark about Mrs. Obama?
The Media and NO one talk about it.

Obama joined Wright’s church for a reason . He has a political advantage also .
Neither he can denounce the Rev that he will not get the political support he needs in case he has to run again for senate .

Tuesday, he stepped lightly, expertly shifting the debate about Wright to a wider debate about race and American hopes and American guilt.He should have given this speech to his Church members long time ago.

I am still trying to figure out why this is important, to be honest. Do people hold me accountable because of what my preacher says or doesn’t say? No. Do people hold me accountable for what my friends, family or partner says? No.

Why do Jeremiah Wright’s words have anything to do with whether Barack Obama will be a good president or not? I’d really like someone to explain it to me, because I just don’t get it. Because his minister says some things some people find inflammatory, he shouldn’t be president? Give me a break….

Please let this be the last day you talk about this, Anderson. And get well soon.

It isn’t just the race issue that Obama has been facing, though that’s certainly a major component. It’s Rezko and Wright and NAFTA and many other issues that continue to haunt his campaign. And until he becomes COMPLETELY honest about himself, he will be forever trying to clean up whatever garbage is lying in his path.

Obama has made many statements about his opinion/belief/behavior about certain issues that later turned out, and continue to turn out, to be false yet he still expects people to believe what he says. If Clinton were pulling that kind of nonsense, he would be calling her out on it and she’d be crucified by not only the media but by the Obama campaign as well. And that would be fine. But he can’t have it both ways.

Will his association with Wright and his personal beliefs affect his campaign as president??? Yes, it will and it already has. And it should. If this had happened to a white man, he would have had to drop out of the race already. If he’s going to put himself out there to be above all the crap of typical Washington politics and present himself as almost God-like……only to find out that many of his claims are false….people end up feeling betrayed and lied to. His campaign is going to fail and it’s his own fault.

I hope you get well quickly Anderson.

I cannot understand how people can continue to stress the issue of Rev. Wright, Simple, most pastors get carried away in the pew, it does not excuse his derisive words, but it happens sometimes. According to the news and people in the church, it happens infrequently in over 20yrs. How about the catholic churches? with Fathers engaging in sexual behavior with children both boys and girls alike, How terrible is that? yet most people did not abandon their catholic faith. So we should not blame Obama for his pastors words or say why didn’t you leave the church. The church is more than a place of worship, it is a family gathering made up not only the pastor but other people.

I hope people can move beyond this and recognize that OBAMA should be the next president, we as Americans should give him a chance!! The media keep talking about the blue collor union worker, were they going to vote for him anyway? To the blue collor worker out there, look beyond your prejudice and vote for a person of unity.

Anderson,

I see Senator Obama commented on McCain’s gaffe in Jordan.

It seems he has had a busy week putting dottering old men in their place.

to bad the media will not air true concerns of the black population instead of using exerts from a speech. Our Government has apologized for everything except slavery and the injustice that black people have suffered in this country for over a 150 years.

The thing that really gets us is that, a similar association with such a racist, had it been a white person, would have been career ending. We can’t stand that it’s O.K. to be racist if you’re not white. What do you think, Anderson?

Would you please consider asking Senator Obama about education issues? What is he going to do with NCLB? How will his administration fund education at the federal level?

Thank You!

Not only Americans but the world is eyeing the results of this Democratic race. Will America stay on a course of aggressively continuing this war and obeying the dirty campaign the Republican right is waging or will America alter course and be the true enabler of Democracy? Hope and Change is not an illusion, it can be a goal post for Americans to aspire to. Myself, I haven’t given up hope but the media is consistent with their pundits repetitively saying they would have us remain on the same moronic course of destruction. The Republicans have destroyed us up to the present with the name Bush being their idol of worship and supreme elitist of adored and faithful worship. The man (Bush) is an egotistical, uneducated abomination, worse than Hoover. Change, Hope is a direction I doubt American voters will aspire too, but rather the same corrupt. experienced crowd that has led America of late with an agenda of destruction. To me experience equates to corruption, cronyism, port barrel politics, ear marks with Corporation and lobbyist the true present leaders.

This controversy, as flamed by the right, is pure hypocracy. This country has been hi-jacked by the religious right for the better part of 2 decades. Their views as applied to politics are a distortion of the tenets of Christianity and have driven this Presidents disastrous policies and, consequently, this country to the ground.

Where was the outrage to the inflamatory comments and views of Pat Robertson, Bob Jones and Jerry Falwell to name a few.

To quote the late Mr. Falwell:
“I really believe that the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People For the American Way, all of them who have tried to secularize America. I point the finger in their face and say ‘you helped this happen.’”

These views are the same views held by preachers and elected officials once known as Dixiecrats (now known as Republicans).

Had these preachers had a different color skin, their inflamatory, racial and homophobic diatribes would have never been tolerated. To make matters worse, they have been prominent in the policy making of the Bush presidency.

Senator Obama’s comments yesterday showed the depth of his intellect, compassion and his ability to take responsability as a man.
This speech about religion and race was perhaps one of the best speeches I have ever heard. It is something every American should listen to again and again.

After reading several comments on several blogs and listened to the several news channels on this matter, I come to the conclusion that anyone that has their mind setup won’t change. Nothing that Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton say will change that. I think that at this time the undecided are the only ones left to talk to and I am not sure they are “open minded” especially in the way that the news media is picking and choosing there reporting. I will listen to all news channels and read all blogs and even checkout Rush Libaugh on occasion… NO ONE is reporting without bias! The job of the media is not to re-run video clips, it is to present them in context to the viewer and challenge what is said. (e.g.) When reporting on Hillary’s speach on the war, showing the clip where she attacked Senator Obama by pointining to Ms Powers comment overseeas and saying that Senator Obama once in office won’t do what he is saying on the campaign and the media outlet just showing the video clip and not commenting on the fact of how Senator Clinton is taking that completely out of context in such a way that she is actually lying… the NEWS reporters are doing a large diservice to the country.

Senator Obama is dealing very well with Reverend Wright controversy, and the Reverend is an adult, why should Obama take the responsability for the Reverend only true. The most important in this controversy is that America must face the undenied true, race is an issue in this campaign, so the Americans didn´t learn nothing from the past. When a white man see Obama just as a presidencial candidate, as well as John Mc cain or Hillary, then the americans can celebrate a democartic true: we are all equal, till then, there will be allways Reverend Wright or Ferrerro on the corner, and is not fair to blame or punish Mr.Obama for that.

How can anyone hold a person responsible for something he did not say . Everyone Pastor or Minister has said things we don’t agree with, or they didn”t speak on something that does matter. No one can blame someone unless they have walked in their shoes no matter what color they are. When every AMERICAN is treated as equal this will truely be agreat country, not that is is not a wonderful place. It”s the best. There needs to be more equality. Male, female , white, black, brown, tan, biracial, we are human. WE ARE THE HUMAN RACE, there is not a difference GOD loves us all.

If I were Obama’s advisor I would not have give Anderson Cooper the time of day! After the way he disrespected him; asking if he would sing God Bless America. It was so demeaning!
Shame on you Anderson Cooper! When I see your face or hear your voice I turn the channel! I only hope others do too!

Cindy in Ohio!

Anderson,

First, I’d to commend you for your superlative journalism skills. I enjoying tuning in to your show because I feel confident that you will provide unbiased factual information. You are a breath of fresh air, especially in comparison to your competitors on FOX. They are absolutely horrendous. I’m surprised they’re still on the air. Nonetheless, CNN has a reputation of being as unbiased and factual as possible. So far, you all have done well.

Secondly, I was inspired by Obama’s outstanding speech. Every adult American should be required to read it - word for word - I did.

I am proud to be an American and I would be so proud for Obama to lead our country. I think he has the skills, intelligence and courage to take our country to the next level.

Thank you, Anderson!

In another interview, when asked about his speech , Obama said “I have no idea how this plays out politically. But I think it was important to do.” My question to Sen. Obama would be, ” Why did you give the speech now? Would you have given the speech if your association with Reverend Wright had not been exposed? If it were such an important speech, why didn’t you make it three months ago. Why Now?”

After yesterday’s speech, Obama lost my vote and Clinton gained one more.

Looks like Obama finally has an actual issue to talk about. He makes a great speech. Perhaps he should be a preacher?

As far as a great campaign issue, I think not. Perhaps a lot of Americans will be put off by having him shove this stuff down their throat? He already has over 90% of the black vote. This is not going to help him. In fact I think he is now officially done.

Anderson,

I hope that, in continuing the conversation with Senator Obama and the Wright issue (which I hope will go away soon), you will try to put into context the “God Damn America” comments that Wright made. It seems that those words have never been fully contextualized in the media coverage. From my observation of his comments, he was saying that, given the racism, oppression, and inequities in this country between the haves and have nots, and the history of race relations in this country, to ask God to bless America is somewhat ironic.

Certainly, Reverend Wright could have used kinder, gentler terms, but his point was that God might be very disappointed in the treatment by the majority of certain subsets of American society. Given the fact that Jesus was actively trying to minister to and help the oppressed and downtrodden in his time, the fact that the United States has treated its citizens they way it has, and in some cases still does, should subject it to God’s condemnation, rather than his blessing.

All the media focuses on is that phrase, while not exploring the meaning or context behind it. No one seems to be talking about that.

I do not trust this man, after being friend with a hatefull Minister Wright , Obama can not just erase of the hatefull past speeches from his ‘uncle’. If he did not know what Wright was believeing then I questiion Obama ’s capability to be a President.

Hi Anderson,

I have one question for you and two questions for Obama:

For you:
Why chose Obama to be the interviewee? Why not Clinton? Do you have comments on the criticism that CNN has given Obama more and favorable coverage?

For obama:

No 1: He claims over and over again that only he can unite the country–that’s why, he says, he couldn’t wait to jump out and run for president. But hasn’t he made the country more divisive than before?

No 2: I think Obama is a good man but I’m puzzled by who’s behind him — “Damning America” pastor, “dirty deal” real
estator, “senior” campaign advisors who messed up his message in contacts with foreign governments….. Does he have good judgement as he claims?

Dare to print this, CNN –

Isimply do not want to hear from this guy anymore. I heard his “mentor, friend and great advisor” speak about this country and the people in it. I heard his great “mentor”, Reverend Wright, spew vile and hatred against whites, Jews, God and this country. I heard his great “mentor” throwing out rhetoric to fuel the fires of racism! And I wondered how a man could sit in a church like that for 20 years and not feel the same way. I wondered how a man could speak of “uniting America” when those so close to him, including his own wife, are neither proud of America nor proud to be an American. And I wondered if Barack Obama doesn’t just want to advance his own agenda, as opposed to the AMERICAN agenda. I will not vote for Obama — ever. I’m ready to vote for an African American for President one day, for sure — but not this African American.

It appears to me that Barak Obama plays both sides of the race issue over and over again. After hearing statements from Obama’s pastor, I now understand Mrs Obama’s statement,”for the first time I am proud to be American.” If I listened to Rev Wrights sermons for too long I might have a chip on my shoulder too. The sad part of all of this issue is that the young generation in our societies have come so far accepting one another from all heritages. This issue belittles all the progress that had been made over the past generation. Many of us have come from poor families, disavantaged families, single families.. of all colours and heritages..get over it.

Hi, Anderson,
I hope all is well after your surgery. I feel that Mr. Obama has proven to be more presidential than any of the other candidates. While directly approaching a very serious matter yesterday, he proved that he has more substance than he has words. Most other politicians would have spoken around the problem or not spoken about it at all. Thanks to Hillary and her campaign for allowing us to see this man in a new light. The release of the 5 year old sermon has I believe back-fired.

This is for all the people who can’t see the big picture. You all have to seperate the two. Sen Obama is not a direct decendent of slavery, his father was from Africa and was not born in the United States of America and his mother was white. So even though Sen. Obama is charaterized as African American I characterize him as Sen. Obama a bi-racial (African and white American) making him a Bi-racial Sen. So eventhough he associate himself with people who look at America in a negative way because of how America has treated their own does not mean that he take on the same views to the extream but because he is an American he does know the truth about America and how it’s Government speak about how it’s for the people and it’s action is totally the opposite, this is why practally all his life he has worked for the people who have no voice.

Obama is a socialist racist person. He sat in that church for 20 years +. He calls this man like family. You mean to tell me he hasn’t heard the racist rhetoric from Wright HUNDREDS if not THOUSANDS of times..

His true colors have been shown. He’s done. So is Hillary.

Get ready for McCain 2008.. whether we want it or not that is the reality. The dems have done themselves in.

I wish the talk of Rev. Wright’s comments would stop being the focus of this campaign. One’s religious views have nothing to do with the decisions one will make in office. Further, I have been in a situation where I have been in disagreement with my pastor. It is a real uncomfortable feeling. I had to pray and pray about the situation. The answer for me was to stay and not to leave. As important as the pastor is, pastors come and go. It’s the relationship that you build in the congregation that is the most important thing. It is important whether or not the congregation is involved in taking care of the least and the lost. If everyone in this country listened to their pastor we wouldn’t be in the mess we are in now. We would truly be a nation which did not judge other by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.

our people are too ignorent and I donot think that they can comprehend the depth of Obama’s message of the future. If they do then they would take his challenge and turn into positive, otherwise we would stuck in the same mud for a long time. Obama is saying, let us wake up and try to find unity in diversity so that the problems that we face can be solved in an united way. He is asking us to love all and serve all, but I do not think that Hillary will allow us to do that.

I support Senator Clinton. But I thought Senator Obama’s speech was simply brilliant and historic.

The Illinois Senator touched upon caricaturization by Conservative commentators. That is just one part. The other commentators caricaturize as well; in this cycle it is of Senator Clinton. The Conservative commentators do it for ideological ends. The others do it for the sake of ratings.

The campaign of Senator Obama caricaturized Ms. Ferraro as a racist. That is unfortunate and dangerous. If Senator Obama truly means what he said in his speech, I think he needs to apologize to Ms. Ferraro for doing to her what the conservative commentators are doing to Rev. Wright- an unfair caricaturization.

I finally figured out what Obama means by “change.” He keeps “changing” the side of his mouth he’s speaking out of. One side when he can’t remember what his racist minister said, and then he - LOL - “changes” and admits he did hear hateful stuff. Same with NAFTA. Same with Iraq - one side when he’s against it, the other when he “changes” and says he would send us back there. The man’s a chameleon. He’s utterly GREAT at “change.”

That racist clown will never get my vote. For me, it’s Hillary or McCain. And if it’s McCain, it’ll be the first time I ever voted Republican.

Crazy uncle my foot, Wright was and is a black racist who Obama supported and still supports. He knew Wrights true colors (no pun intended) and chose to stay in his church for two decades.
Racism seems to be just as prevalent in the black community as any other.

Honestly, I believe the whole Obama and Rev. Wright fiasco is being swept nicely under the rug. This is a classic case of REVERSE RACISM. You cannot say if Mr. McCain’s or Mrs. Clinton’s pastor was spewing out these racist comments against blacks that Rev. Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson wouldn’t be crying Racists, Protesting, Lawsuits, Marching in the streets, etc!!!!!!! I just don’t get it. There must be a double standard where RACISM is concerned!!! That speech Mr. Obama gave did nothing more than condone the actions of Rev Wright due to the Era he was brought up in!!! What kind of excuse is that??? Whoever represents this country whether be President and FIRST LADY better be DAMNED PROUD OF THEIR COUNTRY!!!!!

If everyone here would open their eye’s, they would see this speech was about damage control. He could have given the same speech two months ago and it would have meant more. Just more political posturing. But, it was a great speech.

I don’t think we’ll be past the Rev. Wright issue until there’s anything approaching a full answer to why not one person present thought to question him on from where he was getting his facts, seek clarification, etc. Letting hate speech go unchallenged is dangerous.

I’d like the media to interview Rev. Wright directly and other members of his congregation to see what they think as well..Obama was not the only person there and he should not have to suffer due to some ill guided statements by his pastor. A politician (or anyone else for that matter) having to defend another persons comments is ridiculous, especially with all the other issues we face.

People are really looking for any excuse to not vote for the man and they can’t come up with much of anything credible to hurt him so they go after race and religious beliefs..two of the most sensitive subjects in America.

As a member of a mega-church myself, I have heard my pastor say things I don’t agree with but I’m not going to up and leave the church after being a member for YEARS..Obama shouldn’t have either…and he shouldn’t have to justify his being a member.

I knew his speech would bring all the underlying bigots and racists out of the wood work in a big way, however take heart Obama in the young you have energized in the USA. The older generations eventually cease to exist and the young you have inspired “Will Remember” what you have attempted to do. It remains to be seen if the country is ready for any kind of real substantive change at this time in history. But you have planted seeds.

Anderson, please be a journalist and ask Obama the questions that needs to be asked.

1. Why did you say that you hadn’t heard any of the contraversial sermons then turn around & say you did?

2. Why did you talk about your (White) grandmother the way you did? (It clearly shows that bloods not thicker than skin color)

3. Maybe you are not racist, but why would you let your daughters listen to the radical ranting of your Rev. Wright?

4. Do you believe that in exposing your young daughters to these messages, will have an effect on how they view the races in their adult life?

These are just a few questions you might ask him.

Anderson! You have got to be kidding me. This man rants that Hillary and Bill are making racial remarks and you don’t spend “quality time” riding with them. Mr Obama’s minister and friend of 20 years makes horrible racial and unpatriotic remarks and you spend you day flying with him. What is going on with you people in the media. This is reverse discrimination and there will definitely be a backlash - hopefully before election day. You have always been my favorite commentator….I am so disappointed in you.

Ithink Obama’s speech did work. Race-wise he sparked a great dialogue in thsi country, touched on some issues that were important to get out, and he addressed just about all sides to the debate and deeply versus just on the surface.

Politically, I hear many say that he didn’t reach the white working class male. That was not the point. The point was to get the endless loop of Pastor Wright crap out of the faces of the working class white males and replace it with his comments about the Wright comments. Now that they see him talking about it instead of the constant clips of Wright himself, he can go into their living rooms and make his pitch which is all he wanted to do politically. He is basically jsut now stating his campaign and when he has a chance to make his case, he does just fine. This speech hs allowedhim to address IRAQ (today), the Economy (tomorrow), and replaces Wrights clips with his own.

Well done Obama. Thank you for your courage, brilliance and leadership.

Thanks Anderson,
Make sure you ask Mr. Obama why when others were bringing up race, he was quick to run to the PC police. But now that he has to deal with it, he says he is opening the conversation. Didn’t Ferraro “open” the conversation too?

Here are my questions for Obama and the media

If his pastor and mentor for 20 years is of another color then wouldn’t we have the same questions? why is Obama still staying with this person? why did he make Wright a spiritual advisor? how much influence does he have on Obama’s thinking? So, this issue is all about Obama’s character and judgment. It has nothing about race and Obama has made it so to deflect people attention away from the real questions.

If Obama is sincere in his ‘choice’ to America and explains away Wright’s teaching as just anger of the past, then why does Obama continue to help Wright perpetuate this teaching to the next young generation by consciously exposing his children to Wright’s teaching for all of their life?

If Obama is a uniter then why is he seeking guilt trips from everyone, why is he inciting the blacks against the rest of the country with his statement “to denounce Wright is to denounce the Blacks”. Is he saying the all or the majority of the Blacks hate America and share the same beliefs as Wright?

He should be shaken. He’s been exposed. Other politicians have gone down for less. He can’t stand up to his pastor. What will he stand up for. Also, is this how he handles being under fire. Give the Clintons credit. They have taken there share of punches.

All political candidates have to pander to a certain degree. Look how McCain pandered to the religious right with Jerry Falwell. What I don’t understand is why the press is going after McCain to put him on the hot seat for it. If you’re going to put Obama on the grill for Reverend Wright, at least show how McCain in one breadth called the religious right a corrupting influence and then later went to Liberty, Falwell’s college and spoke. In other words, does the religious right support McCmain or not?This type of pandering goes on all the time in politics. I don’t know why the press is going after Obama, could it be because he is black?

Anderson why don’t you ask Obama why he immediately went on National News after the tapes were revealed and deny that he ever heard any of Wright’s controversial remarks but admit in his “big speech” on race that he was quite aware of Wrights opinions? Why is he any different than the politicians that he is so critical of?

A true man of integrity, honor and unfraid to stand by his believes.
Who would not want that in our future president?

I believe this country is need of a new direction and a new conversation. For so long we have pointed the finger at each other (racially) in judgement to say what’s wrong with this country. We now have the opportunity to open up a dialog an set a new precedent to hold ourselves accountable for the outcome of our nation.

It took a lot of courage for him to step forward and discuss this issue. He has a perspective that many of us can not imagine. He is a black man who has lived continuously within a white and black existence. He has seen both sides of the coin and yet he still believes we have the capacity to rise above this and become the GREAT NATION we should be.

Don’t be misled by the flurry of race baiting that is going on now in the media. People will do whatever necessary when they are afraid and want to maintain the status quo.

I say vote for Barack Hussein Obama because he represents what is BEST about America……..It’s PEOPLE!!!!

Anyone who seriously believes that the Obama’s and Pastor Wright hate America is too stupid to be allowed to vote. Seriously, why on earth would someone who is anti-American run for president and get this far? It defies all logic. What exactly do these people think he’s going to do in office? These complaints about Obama’s sincerity and patriotism are made by Wal-Mart Americans who can only converse in a tabloid fashion and have no understanding of the issues. These are the same people whose most complex reading is PerezHilton and Star Magazine; the people that can’t identify Iraq on a world map. These must be the same folks who think that Christian and Republican are synonymous.
Please for the love of God Anderson, move on to asking Obama what his plans are for the economy. Pastor Wright doesn’t affect my bank account, the economy does.

Some of Barack Obama’s critics are very quick to pass judgment on his character based on snippits and distortions. some claim that he lied about being present for the sound bites of his pastor that were played on TV. He did not lie. You did not listen. He said that he wasn’t there for Those particular statements. He admited hearing other statements that he disagreed with emphatically. I’m sick to death of character assassinations of good men and women of courage who stand up for what is right and good only to be demonized and torn to shreds by lies and distortions. Anderson, Please be the one in the media who stands up for what is right and good and honest in this campaign. We look forward to your show tonight. Be well.

I think David Gergen had it right the other night when he said Obama talks to voters like we’re adults. So often we get nothing but half-truths and simplistic sound bites and gotcha. I hope he stays on this track and doesn’t get sucked into the tit for tat that I greatly feared would happen with six weeks of nothing else to report.

I was disappointed at Reverend Wright’s comments, and had serious doubts about Obama (I’ve been an Obama fan for quite some time) after hearing about the sermons he’d been listening to, apparently without any problem. When Mr. Obama showed the incredible courage to stand up in front of the country and lay out his personal views on the matter, in a clear, concise, no BS manner, I couldn’t have been more impressed. As someone else in this blog said, the 3:00AM phone rang, and he answered it. In an incredibly stressful and dangerous situation, he handled himself with calm circumspection. That is, my friends, Presidential.

I listened to the words of Obama’s entire speech last night, not just the snippets and buzz phrases that the media seem to rhetorically embellish. I sincerely believe Obama showed tremendous courage and leadership by taking the “Bull by the Horns” and staring directly into the face of Racism in America while challenging us to do the same. Simply, he has only reinforced and confirmed why he is my candidate of choice.

I have no doubt of his ability to lead this nation in the right direction, my only concern is do we as a nation have what it takes to be a part of this Change for America.

No one can be responsible for something someone else said… You don’t throw your friends away for something they say or you disagree with.. We have all heard racists comments from both sides (black and white).

However, if my pastor started preaching the racists remarks as Rev. Wright, I do have a choice to leave if I don’t agree with him. If Senator Obama stayed in that church for 20 years, he must believe the practices of the Rev. Wright. Why did he say he had not heard these comments and 2 days later said he did???

I thought Senator Obama was different, but he is not.. I was an undecided voter and now my vote will go for Hillary. I think she is the one that has the experience and will get the job done.

Anderson,
I have yet to hear any reporter ask Mr. Obama WHY…If he wants to affect change in the issue of race relations, and if he thinks that he is the best person to “open up a converstaion about this subject”…WHY did he NOT take the opportunity right before his very eyes for over 20+ years, and OPEN up a converstaion within his own community and his own church. He could have done so much prior to NOW, why didn’t he???? WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY!!!!

This man has a BLACK father, WHITE mother, HISPANIC step-father, and ASAIN brother-in…
HOW IS HE A RACIST??!! He didn’t say those things, Rev. Wright did!
Shoot, if you really want to “get real”… HE DIDN’T EVEN CALL FERRARO A RACIST WHEN EVERYONE ELSE DID!!!

GET REAL PEOPLE! YOU GUYS ARE JUST REACHING FOR SOMETHING BAD TO SAY ABOUT THIS MAN.
BUT THE THRUTH IS HE IS EXTRODINARY, AND HE STILL CAME OUT OF ALL OF THIS SO-CALLED “CONTROVERSY” UNTOUCHED!!

OBAMA ‘08!!!

I was very impressed with Obama’s speech yesterday. It has made me realize that its has been 40 years since we have seen someone on the national political stage with this clarity of vision and moral character. It was not until yesterday that I made the firm decison to support Obama. I look forward to your interview this evening.
Mike from Scranton

Why do people not get it…this is the type of person we need in the White House…someone who TRULY is making the attempt to move us forward in the economy and globally. WAKE UP PEOPLE!

I think we have been witnessing the past couple of days how Senator Obama respects his audience. As David Gergen wrote yesterday, he does not speak down to us as if we were children, but treats us like adults. He knows that he will need a sea-change in how the public perceives itself for any tangible change to occur. It is so refreshing to have an intelligent candidate to consider who knows how to communicate successfully. It is the way forward.

3 a.m call? It not only took him over a year to decide if he should distant himself from his pastors remarks, and almost a week to respond to all these allegations, but he rather lied about it, saying that he never listened to him, and yesterday he said he did. Is that what he calls judgement? He lied about Rezko too, Now it is over $250 thousand in contributions, he bought his land after he knew he was already under investigation. Well, Mr Obama is doing a great job for the country and the Republican party. Keep it up, and we will have 4 more years of republicans in power.

Anderson,
First of all, thank you for your fair coverage of the entire election. I am looking forward to the program tonight. This recent controversy will only be hurtful to Obama with people who never wanted to see him succeed. As an African-American female I was not convinced he was the best candidate until after the last two debates with Hiliary Clinton. I have always and still do admire her but he stood out more presidential. After the speech on Tuesday, I am looking forward to a better America with Obama being the President, not because he is Black, but because he is Better and he wants what is Best for All Americans.

One simple question everyone has to ask themselves. And that is whether or not there are people close to their families that they disagree with strongly. A simple example is how many democratic leaning people have long time family friends who are strongly republican or vice versa. Pick a topic: immigration, religion, abortion, the war. Does that mean they are non-persons or that the good things they do are meaningless?

I guess for some people they are.

Racism really stings when it’s on the other foot. This is just about 1 percent of what African Americans and other minorities experience on a daily basis. All of this uproar is about what 1 man in America said and the whole country is crying foul. Minorities have been hearing, seeing, and living with racism from the majority for many years. Unfortunately, some of what the reverend said was true and the truth hurts. Just as I can agree that some of what he said was true; there are other parts that are extreme and I can’t condone. I am an African American and I am proud of this country and proud to be an American.

Re: Obama’s candidacy

Que Sera, Sera

ANDERSON

I WAS THEIR WITH MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. IN THE 1960″S WHEN BLACKS WERE BEING MISTREATED AND GAVE HIS SPEECH . TO SAY THE OBAMA SPEECH WAS EQUAL TO THAT SPEECH IS A DISGRACE.AND TO THOSE WHO FEEL IS WAS ARE FOOLS!!!

Hi Anderson!

First off — I LOVE YOU!

Second - why isn’t Obama’s camp truly taking pride in the other half of his heritage? He has an amazing platform by which to unify this nation, so why does everyone insist on saying that he will be the first BLACK president if elected? The real truth is that he would be the first half BLACK/half WHITE president if elected, right? So, my real question is - has his “white” lineage become so very distasteful that it’s not even worth 1/2 his platform? We’re not all horrible people — I promise.

Just a question. . .or 4. :o)

Thanks,
Shannon, California

To Sylvie, hello Sylvie , wakeup!! Obama has already denounced Wright over aver and over. What Obama cannot do on the other hand is disown Wright, which would be tantamount to disowning blacks. This follows that whatever Wright said, some of the things said are true, some inaccurate, and that is really not a problem. The problem is the delivery, which was divisive and inflammatory.I don;t know what your race is, but i am sure you have come across people that you love who have uttered racial epithets, and you still love them and have not even denounced them. Hate and denounce the doctrine , but save the man.

It’s funny to see which parts of Obama’s speech get analyzed by which news program. I read it, but have only seen parts on TV. I hope folks will take the time to read it because it was a great speech. He hit the mark on this! I am totally comfortable with his explanation of his pastor’s comments. His is verbalizing what so many people are thinking but are afraid to open up and talk about. This is such an exciting time in our country’s life.

Unfortunately, this Rev Wright situation provided a lot of people a scape goat. At first, it was “there’s no substance”. Then the substance was again provided (it was always there, the media was enamored with the Rhetoric), just log online and read the details of his policies. What it really was is that their candidate truly was not measuring up to what Obama was effortlessly showing us. Obama also didnt look the part for some (color wise).

Everything Obama has done from the organization and innovation of his campaign that no candidate has ever structured, his inspirational oratory skills, intelligence, not going negative, and being calm and candid throughout the ups and downs. He has displayed every trait that we have historically asked for, but as always right before our eyes we are basically “crucifying” this candidate and his attributes…..all because of a Rev??. There’s not a family in America that does not have a relative whom they don’t support there way of being, but also does not completely disown them. I think some of America is still afraid, and are still being taught to hate….and to this day and in this election think it’s okay, or found a way to justify it. I am so embarrased by what we’ve become as a people and why it is we’ve grown to be hated by those outside of our borders. If not Obama, then we deserve what’s left of the remaining status quo candidates.

I can,t wait for this interview tonight !!! I just came back from Europe and Obama is their hope for the presidency of our country , I even saw in a book store in Germany a book about Senator Obama called ” The Black Kennedy”. I felt that I’d would be very proud of Barack Obama as my president, showing to the world what America is capable to do peacefully.
God bless America !!! OBAMA 2008-2016 !!!

i beleive that this speech is a huge turning point for obama.
he takes, in my estimation, his first big stand.
his eloquence and his truthful demeanor in speech is only an aspect of his greater integrity.
i am an african american
i was adopted by caucasion parents when i was one.
i have truely seen the best and the worst of both worlds.
obama is just cementing a phenomenal reputation by this speech. His stand of loyalty but not condonment, is just what people need to hear.
his authoritative stance is the perfect move.
How can people call him a communist, i do not know.
maybe that more perfect union is not so perfect on the subcontious level for many.
i am inspired now, to not”retreat into [my] corner”, but to be the change, along side of barack
hopefully in the the future he will have the opportunity to do his thing and make changes as president
thanks

I have to agree with Michelle. My daughter is also of mixed decent and has begged me to make her hair straight. She started asking me when she was four yrs old. It isn’t just that people are listening to 30 second sound bits and not researching the church, but the fact that they naively believe that this man preached this every Sunday for 20 yrs. Come on America! This church has more than 10,000 members and some of them are white. On the days that these statements where made there were white people in the congregation. For all those that want to know about his children hearing this, have you never heard of children’s church or youth ministry? For those that believe he should that there is no way this man did not have influence on him, then I ask that you please remember your father’s father and his father and his grandfather, you know the racist men who murdered, raped & inslaved so many. Not just blacks, but the Indians as well. You see they didn’t just stop at words. They put there hate into actions and I do believe that there are pictures and videos of that. Enough that it will make what Pastor Wright said minor. Would any of you like to be held accountable for those actions?

By the way, I am an African American and a American soldier. While I may not agree with what Pastor Wright said, I do agree with his right to say it. He was a marine and if anybody has the right to say anything bad about America, it is us. Those of us that risk our families and our lives for you. For you to have the right to “fairly” vote for the person who will make the decision to put my life and the lives of thousands of my fellow solidiers at risk. Only 1% of the American population serves in our military, but 100% have the right to vote. Make your vote well informed. Do your own research and do not base it on petty differences about words and race.

Are comments from Rev. Wright all you can find on Obama? Give us a break! The American people are tired of the spin and the race card. The media can make a bad man look good, and a good man look bad. It will praise the ACTIONS of a president that are shameful in every way that you look at it look good, while making the STATEMENTS of a good man’s former pastor look bad. This election is not about Rev. Wright, it’s about the American people.

I think it is most important that Sen Obama not be judged by the words of his pastor. We must remember we are living in America. A country where everyone is allowed freedom of speech. What the pastor said was his opinion and his opinion alone. The pastor in a church does not rule the minds of his members. A disagreement with an idea or statement in a church would not cause a faithful member to leave his home church. Let’s get back to the real issues of the campaign.

How can Sen. Obama justify his defense of his home church when they were absolutely affirming by their shouts, jumping and amens to the pure racist venom spewed by his ex pastor and mentor? There is no justifying a position of acceptance for this behavior regardless of what he may say. When I preach on Sunday , it is the gospel of Jesus Christ and Him crucified that I preach, not hatred or degrading any group of people regardless of my past experiences or personal bias.
If that is the behavior of his church when someone like Rev Wright preaches his poison, then I cannot respect Sen Obama. Even if they were my dearest friends, I would not allow myself to participate in a church where they showed such agreement to Rev Wright’s out right racism.
I feel saddened for Sen Obama in his inability to divoce himself from what is right and what is wrong. What does that say about his ability to perform in a presidential role if placed in a similar situation. I am disappointed in his veneer of an explanation.

As usual, most people did not listen to the speech….they heard it but didn’t LISTEN to it. Clearly, Obama states that Rev. Wright is/was his spiritual advisor….advisor on GOD….for most people GOD and COUNTY are separate. It’s not too difficult to understand. If a friend makes remarks you don’t agree with, you don’t condone their remarks, but you don’t stop being their friend either. Jus goes to show what a double-standard their is in this country which is why Obama is the perfect candidate for President.

I am deeply disturbed about the comments made by Rev Wright. I was disturbed by a black commentator comments last night on cnn that “most” of the black pastors do this same thing. How can we ever get to where we have to get on the race issue if one side, the blacks are hearing words like the gov. gave aids to the blacks and God Bless America should not be sung but God D*** America. This to me is a pastor brainwashing his congregation to believe the way he believes instead of preaching God’s message.
Carol Scio Oh.

Obama didn’t have to explain or dwell on what was spoken and felt by alot of african-americans, He did what you’d expect a true man, politician to do stand up and give his honest feelings on the matter, I personally didn’t feel that he needed to respond, or explain ,validate or defend Rev.Wrights statements, IT IS WHAT IT IS !! I’m so glad tha Obama did the stand up in ya face response did Not throw his pastor under the bus or try to make excuses for him. A real mam always recognizes a real man, run run from or try to cover up the truth… thats what b@tches do!

Earlier posts credit Obama for “standing up and addressing the issue like a man” I disagree. The problem for Obama is and will continue to be; for twenty years he has heard comments (by his own admission) that were inflamatory, wrong, divisive (code for racist) and never stood up. Why? Did he agree with them? Common sense would say no. Did he need the polictical support of this large influential church in his district as he created his political career? Common sense would say yes. This issue doesn’t reveal Obamas hidden agenda or latent black separtist feelings. Rather, that at his core, he is nothing more, than an politician. Why is it that in EVERY election cylce we average civilians glom onto the one canidate that sounds or looks the best? No doubt Obama is a smooth talking, quick on his feet, feel good, promise the world politician, doing what they ALL know how to do….spin. My advice; don’t get your hopes up. Take a deep breath, make yourself a drink and contiplate these two absolute truths. If a politicians lips are moving….their probably lying. And, if you want to change your situation, you have to take responsibilty for it and change it yourself.

I live in Brussels where my skin is sometimes a problem to some people. But I have some of the best white friends whom we openly share all mmaner of issues including race and even my colour. My white wife - a European - never - not even once has haboured feelings of racial discomfort in our 15 years of marriage and great friendship. It buffles us why Americans are so touchy about race. Maybe there is something they are hiding. Obama must not be vilified for other’s comments and sharing of mind. He is, perhaps, the finest American president that your country may not have! He is a jewel of a man. You had better give him a chance. We who look from out of America admire the share wit and intelligent of this man!!
-Elijah, Brusels

I listened to his speech.

I understand that he considers Rev Wright as family and he said he spoke with Rev Wright many times and never did the conversations include anything like the dialogue I heard in the reverend’s sermons on TV.

I have had many conversations with family and close friends about politics, marriage, boyfriends etc. And if I disagreed with them and felt what they were doing or saying was not right (in my mind) I would let them know.

I cannot understand or believe that with all the conversations with Rev Wright and that friends never discussed the sermons with Obama.

He did not close the Rev Wright association with the speech yesterday. It was a great speech but it did not completely anwser the question. In your interview with him last week, he did say he never sat in a pew when these sermons were made. And you even asked him if any of his fellow parishoners ever came up to him and said “Did you hear that sermon last week/”. I believe his anwser was no.

So between last week and this week his answer changed to Yes I did know of these incindiary statements.

Please try to clear this you for me. Thank you.

Senator Obama gave an uplifting and straight forward speech yesterday, but the bottom line is that I think that this situation has really hurt him. Does this situation help Hilary Clinton out more? Maybe slightly, but the real winner is John McCain and the Republican Party. Being a young African American male, I agreed with a lot that Mr. Obama spoke about yesterday, but also being the son of a pastor, I was disappointed that he did not come out and take more responsibilty for his actions of sittining under that kind of spiritual leadership. My dad has been a minister/pastor for about 30 years now, and I have never heard him say anything like the inflammatory remarks that Rev. Wright preached. Obama also lied and said last Friday that he had never heard his pastor say anything out of the way like he heard in those video clips, but yet during his speech yesterday he says that he was in the pulpit on several occasions when his pastor did say similar things but he totally disagreed with. He speaks of having good judgement, but this is failure in using good judement by sitting under a pastor that is controversial and spews this kind of hate. Rev. Wright may be a good man, but some of his beliefs contradict the main purpose of Jesus Christ, and that was to love on another. As much as I love my own Dad (my pastor), I would have left a long time ago.

Kenny H. Stated:

“The first time Anderson Cooper ( hope you feel better soon) interviewed Obama after the Wright mess, Obama said he never heard of those remarks. Now Obama admitted he was presence on occassions. We should now question Obama’s character.”

With all due respect, Kenny, do YOU remember everything your pastor has EVER said in his sermons? If a member of the press came to your workplace, stuck a microphone and a camera in your face and asked you to comment about an excerpt from one of the sermons you’ve heard in the past twenty years, would you be able to recall it and comment intelligently and with complete veracity? Hmmm…I wouldn’t. I might go back later and check my calendar, and look at the dates that the remarks were made and later admit that I was present, but I don’t know that I could recall specific comments.

Maybe it’s just me.

To my understanding (after speaking to a professor who is also a member of the Reverend Wright’s congregation), Reverend Wright is a straight-shooter and doesn’t pull punches about his opinions. He also uses fiery rhetoric regularly to inspire his congregation into reflection and positive action. Is anyone checking the sermons from the pastors of any of the other candidates? Their prom dates? How about their doctors? Lawyers? Bank tellers? That would just be ridiculous, right? Right?

Hello AC360!

I appreciate you so much for taking this tour with Obama, despite your post surgery situation! It is so important for the country at this defining moment of our history. Thank you for that!

Bravo! Bravo Obama!

Obma delivered his response yesterday way more than he needed to do for turning this country into a new chapter of the 2st century.

Like millions of true Americans of all races, my family and I couldn’t be more proud of Obama’s unprecedented speech he delivered yesterday. This is the best speech ever made by any leaders yet in this country. The substance of his remarkable and historic speech has touched the hearts and souls of every American and put forward two fundamental challenging questions to all of us: why we are still divided on every Sunday during our prayers in all over the country? Why are we still afraid of accepting the truth of wrongdoing school segregation that caused the education systems of America a sub-standard and discriminatory? Other political leaders of this country are surely challenged to answer these fundamental questions now.

You are the hero of my family You are already more respected and in far better position than that of a presidential victory. We love you forever.

God bless you Obama!

I for one am tired of being blamed for every problem a black person has. The statements of Rev. Wright are anti american especially white american. Why is that? This country has bent over backwards to pacify this group of people. Blacks have preferences in education, jobs etc. The rest of us don’t. How much longer are Americans going to just stand by and let people run America down? Obama is a good speaker but so is Osama. With this kind of relationship with Rev. Wright who hates America what will we have to give up next? What about the right to defend ourselves or freedom of Religion.

To Reverend Wright, Shapton, Jackson I say look in the mirror and you will see who the real racist are in this country.

I have never been frustrated with the media like this before but at the same time I am proud of us Americans that are able to see the truth beyond the spin. Race is an issue but an issue that is and will heal and with the help of a good leadership. We can all agree on some of the issues and agree to disagree on the other issues. This country has done many good things and some bad things but the most important thing is we all do what we can to be on the side of good. I believe Obama is good for Race relations, good for the Economy, good for National Security, good for health care and good for America. 9-11 united us to bring the best out of us once and I believe Obama could unit us again to fight for that common goal without giving up our individual desire, pursuit of happiness.

I hope this hasn’t hurt Obama, but on some level I think it has and that’s really unfortunate because he’s a good man and an excellent motivator and that’s what we need right now. It’s really sad that he has to answer to something that was made into such a huge issue that when you think about it should never have been. I went to a Catholic church for years when I was younger and I didn’t believe in everything the priest said in his sermon every Sunday and there were sometimes horrible remarks made about homosexuals. But just because I was there doesn’t mean I advocated those beliefs.

I am surprised that the media has not really commented on the theme th